Owen Blacker
About Owen Blacker
Owen Blacker is a Lead Software Engineer at Made Tech in London and a governance committee member at Wikimedia LGBT+.
Lead Software Engineer at Made Tech
Owen Blacker is currently employed as a Lead Software Engineer at Made Tech. Located in the London Area, United Kingdom, his role involves leveraging his extensive expertise in software development and engineering. Owen's responsibilities likely encompass leading technical teams, overseeing project deployments, and ensuring that development practices meet high standards of quality and efficiency.
Governance Committee Member at Wikimedia LGBT+
Owen Blacker serves as a Governance Committee Member at Wikimedia LGBT+. This voluntary position involves contributing to the governance and operational oversight of the organization. His role would include helping to shape policies, ensuring organizational compliance, and possibly steering community-driven projects within the Wikimedia ecosystem.
Founder and Advisory Council Member at Open Rights Group
Owen Blacker is a founder and advisory council member at the Open Rights Group. His involvement dates back to the establishment of the organization, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to digital rights and freedoms. In his current advisory capacity, Owen contributes his experience and insights to guide the group's advocacy efforts and strategic direction.
Technical Lead at Iris
Owen Blacker worked at Iris for nearly a decade, occupying various significant roles. From 2013 to 2022, he served as Technical Lead, and prior to that, Head of Server-side Development from 2009 to 2013. His tenure at Iris started as a Senior Developer/Team Lead in 2008. Over these years, Owen oversaw critical development projects, led technical teams, and played a key role in the evolution of the firm's technological capabilities.
Educational Background at University of East Anglia
Owen Blacker earned his BSc (Hons) in Molecular Biology and Genetics from the University of East Anglia, where he studied from 1993 to 1997. This academic background lays a solid foundation for his analytical and problem-solving skills, which are essential in his subsequent endeavors in software engineering and technology leadership.
Civic Tech and Campaigning
Throughout his career, Owen Blacker has been deeply involved in civic tech and digital rights advocacy. Notably, he co-founded FaxYourMP, a service allowing UK citizens to send faxes to their Members of Parliament. Additionally, he played roles in organizations like No2ID and mySociety, aiming to leverage technology for public good and protect individual rights in the digital era.